U.S. patent application number 15/375801 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-30 for wearable system and method for monitoring intoxication.
This patent application is currently assigned to KHN Solutions, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is KHN Solutions, Inc.. Invention is credited to Imraan Aziz, Keith Harry Nothacker, Will Tammen.
Application Number | 20170086714 15/375801 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58408494 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170086714 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nothacker; Keith Harry ; et
al. |
March 30, 2017 |
WEARABLE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING INTOXICATION
Abstract
A system for transdermal alcohol sensing to be worn near a skin
surface of a user, including: an alcohol sensor; a microporous
membrane; a housing coupled to the alcohol sensor and the membrane,
defining a volume between the alcohol sensor and a first membrane
side, and fluidly isolating the volume from a second membrane side
opposing the first membrane side; an electronics subsystem
electrically coupled to the alcohol sensor, operable to power and
receive signals from the alcohol sensor; and a fastener operable to
position the second membrane side proximal the skin surface.
Inventors: |
Nothacker; Keith Harry; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Tammen; Will; (San Francisco,
CA) ; Aziz; Imraan; (San Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KHN Solutions, Inc. |
San Francisco |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
KHN Solutions, Inc.
San Francisco
CA
|
Family ID: |
58408494 |
Appl. No.: |
15/375801 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15294317 |
Oct 14, 2016 |
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15375801 |
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14925675 |
Oct 28, 2015 |
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15294317 |
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14631125 |
Feb 25, 2015 |
9192334 |
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14925675 |
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14470376 |
Aug 27, 2014 |
9076317 |
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14631125 |
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14169029 |
Jan 30, 2014 |
8878669 |
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14470376 |
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61812704 |
Apr 16, 2013 |
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61759390 |
Jan 31, 2013 |
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62269854 |
Dec 18, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/082 20130101;
A61B 2010/0009 20130101; A61B 2503/22 20130101; A61B 5/0022
20130101; A61B 2562/0219 20130101; G01N 27/416 20130101; G06F 19/00
20130101; A61B 5/7282 20130101; A61B 5/4023 20130101; A61B 5/4845
20130101; A61B 5/1477 20130101; A61B 5/097 20130101; G01N 33/4972
20130101; A61B 5/681 20130101; A61B 10/0064 20130101; A61B 5/7275
20130101; G16H 50/30 20180101; A61B 5/14546 20130101; A61B 5/486
20130101; A61B 5/18 20130101; A61B 5/4863 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/1477 20060101
A61B005/1477; A61B 5/145 20060101 A61B005/145; A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00; G01N 27/416 20060101 G01N027/416 |
Claims
1. A system for transdermal alcohol sensing to be worn near a skin
surface of a user, the system comprising: an alcohol sensor
comprising a fuel cell, the fuel cell comprising a sensing
electrode and a counter electrode; an inlet providing a path for a
sample from the skin surface of the user to the alcohol sensor; a
housing coupled to the alcohol sensor and comprising a barrier
defining an aperture proximal the inlet, the aperture and the inlet
cooperatively controlling flow of the sample to the alcohol sensor;
an electronics subsystem electrically coupled to the alcohol sensor
by way of the housing, the electronics subsystem operable to
receive signals from the alcohol sensor and power the alcohol
sensor; and a fastener coupled to the housing and operable to
position the aperture proximal the skin surface.
2. The system of claim 1, the fuel cell further comprising a
reservoir wafer and a primary wafer, the primary wafer comprising a
first catalytic coating and a second catalytic coating opposing the
first catalytic coating, wherein: the counter electrode is
electrically coupled to the first catalytic coating; and the
sensing electrode is electrically coupled to the second catalytic
coating and to the reservoir wafer.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first catalytic coating and
the second catalytic coating each comprise platinum.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a microporous membrane
comprising a first membrane side and a second membrane side
opposing the first membrane side wherein the microporous membrane
is permeable to ethanol vapor.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the microporous membrane is
substantially impermeable to water.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the fastener is further operable
to position the second membrane side proximal the skin surface.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the housing further defines a
volume between the alcohol sensor and the first membrane side,
wherein the volume is fluidly isolated from the second membrane
side.
8. The system of claim 4, wherein the barrier comprises a first
barrier side coupled to the microporous membrane, wherein the
microporous membrane covers the aperture.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein: the barrier further comprises a
second barrier side opposing the first barrier side; the system
further comprises a second microporous membrane coupled to the
second barrier side and covering the aperture; and the second
microporous membrane is fluidly isolated from the volume.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the fastener is further
configured to retain the second membrane side against the skin
surface.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the fastener is operable to be
repeatedly fastened and unfastened by the user.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the fastener comprises a strap
operable to encircle a forearm of the user, wherein the forearm
comprises the skin surface.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronics subsystem
comprises a processor operable to continuously determine a time
series of blood alcohol contents of the user based on a time series
of signals received from the alcohol sensor.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein: the electronics subsystem
further comprises a light-emitting element; the processor is
further operable to control the light-emitting element based on the
time series of blood alcohol contents; and the fastener comprises a
translucent region optically coupled to the light-emitting element
and operable to conduct a light signal emitted by the
light-emitting element.
15. The system of claim 13, wherein the electronics subsystem
further comprises an electronic display, the processor further
operable to control the electronic display based on the time series
of blood alcohol contents.
16. A system for transdermal alcohol sensing to be worn near a skin
surface of a user, the system comprising: an alcohol sensor; an
electronics subsystem electrically coupled to the alcohol sensor by
way of the housing, the electronics subsystem operable to receive
signals from the alcohol sensor and power the alcohol sensor; an
electrical jack electrically coupled to the electronics subsystem,
the electrical jack operable to receive an electrical power input
and to transmit the electrical power input to the electronics
subsystem; and a fastener configured to position the second
membrane side and the electrical jack proximal the skin surface,
the fastener operable to be repeatedly fastened and unfastened by
the user.
17. The system of claim 16, further including: a microporous
membrane comprising a first membrane side and a second membrane
side opposing the first membrane side; a housing coupled to the
alcohol sensor and the microporous membrane, the housing defining a
volume between the alcohol sensor and the first membrane side,
wherein the volume is fluidly isolated from the second membrane
side;
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the alcohol sensor comprises a
fuel cell.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the alcohol sensor comprises a
water reservoir.
20. The system of claim 17, wherein the fastener comprises a strap
operable to couple a forearm-mountable computing device to the
user.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the forearm-mountable computing
device is electrically isolated from the electronics subsystem.
22. The system of claim 20, wherein the electronics subsystem
comprises a processor operable to: continuously determine a time
series of blood alcohol contents of the user based on a time series
of signals received from the alcohol sensor; and control the
forearm-mountable computing device to provide an intoxication
notification based on the time series of blood alcohol
contents.
23. The system of claim 17, wherein the system further comprises a
gasket opposing the volume across the microporous membrane, the
fastener further configured to retain the gasket against the skin
surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S.
application Ser. No. 15/294,317, filed on 14 Oct. 2016, which is a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/925,675, filed 28 Oct.
2015, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
14/631,125, filed 25 Feb. 2015, which is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. application Ser. No. 14/470,376 filed 27 Aug. 2014, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/169,029, filed
30 Jan. 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/812,704 filed 16 Apr. 2013 and U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/759,390 filed 31 Jan. 2013,
which are each incorporated in their entirety herein by this
reference.
[0002] This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/269,854, filed 18 Dec. 2015, which is
incorporated in its entirety by this reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] This invention relates generally to the intoxication
monitoring field, and more specifically to a new and useful system
and method for monitoring intoxication.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Alcohol use remains the third leading cause of death both in
the USA (85,000 deaths annually) and worldwide (up to 2.5 million
deaths annually). The economic costs associated with excessive
drinking exceed $223 billion annually in the USA alone. Some of the
objective methods for measuring alcohol, such as breathalyzers and
biological assays, can have significant drawbacks, such as
invasiveness, constant user interaction, and/or the inability to
provide real-time (or near real-time) quantitative measurements of
alcohol (e.g., as opposed to metabolites). Thus, there is a need in
the intoxication monitoring field to create an improved
intoxication monitoring system and method.
[0005] This invention creates such a new and useful intoxication
monitoring system and method.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0006] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a variation of the
system;
[0007] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a variation of the
electronics subsystem;
[0008] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the housing, inlet, and
sensor of a first embodiment of the system;
[0009] FIG. 2B is a detail cross-sectional view of the inlet of the
first embodiment of the system;
[0010] FIGS. 3A and 3B are an exploded view and a cross-sectional
view, respectively, of the housing, inlet, and sensor of a second
embodiment of the system;
[0011] FIGS. 4A-4D are perspective views of a third embodiment of
the system;
[0012] FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the third
embodiment of the system worn by a user;
[0013] FIGS. 6A and 6B are a front view and side view,
respectively, of a first example of a fourth embodiment of the
system;
[0014] FIGS. 6C-6F are perspective views of the fourth embodiment
of the system worn by a user on various clothing articles;
[0015] FIG. 7A is a front view of a first example of a fifth
embodiment of the system;
[0016] FIGS. 7B and 7C are front views of a second and third
example, respectively, of the fifth embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 7D is a perspective view of four examples of the fifth
embodiment, each worn by a user;
[0018] FIG. 8A is a front view of a second and third example of the
fourth embodiment of the system;
[0019] FIG. 8B is a side view of a fourth and fifth example of the
fourth embodiment of the system;
[0020] FIG. 8C is a perspective view of a portion of a sixth and
seventh example of the fourth embodiment of the system;
[0021] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the
system including a color-changing display element;
[0022] FIG. 9B is a front view of the sixth embodiment, displaying
four different colors;
[0023] FIGS. 10A and 10B are a perspective view and a side view,
respectively, of a seventh embodiment of the system;
[0024] FIGS. 10C and 10D are each a perspective view of the seventh
embodiment of the system adhered to a user;
[0025] FIGS. 11A and 11B are a partial top view and a perspective
view, respectively, of an eighth embodiment of the system;
[0026] FIGS. 11C and 11D are side views of the eighth embodiment in
two fastened conformations, configured to encircle a larger and
smaller wrist, respectively;
[0027] FIGS. 12A and 12B are a top view and a perspective view,
respectively, of a ninth embodiment of the system;
[0028] FIG. 12C is a perspective view of a replaceable portion of
the ninth embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a tenth embodiment of the
system;
[0030] FIGS. 14A and 14B are perspective views of a first example
of an eleventh embodiment of the system;
[0031] FIG. 14C is a perspective view of a second example of the
eleventh embodiment;
[0032] FIGS. 14D and 14E are a top view and a side view,
respectively, of a third example of the eleventh embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 15A is a perspective view of an example of a twelfth
embodiment of the system worn by a user;
[0034] FIGS. 15B and 15C are perspective views of two examples of
the twelfth embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a thirteenth embodiment of
the system;
[0036] FIGS. 17-26 and 27A-27B are diagrams of various embodiments
of the method;
[0037] FIGS. 28A-28C are a first exploded view, a second exploded
view, and a cross-sectional view of a first example of a fourteenth
embodiment of the system; and
[0038] FIGS. 29A-29C are a first exploded view, a second exploded
view, and a cross-sectional view of a second example of a
fourteenth embodiment of the system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] The following description of the preferred embodiments of
the invention is not intended to limit the invention to these
preferred embodiments, but rather to enable any person skilled in
the art to make and use this invention.
1. Overview.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 1A, a system 100 for monitoring
intoxication of a user 10 preferably includes: a housing 110, an
inlet 120, a sensor 130, a fastener 140, and an electronics
subsystem 150. The system 100 can function to enable transdermal
measurements of the user's blood alcohol content by sensing alcohol
(i.e., ethanol) near a user's skin, preferably continuously and in
near real time. Transdermal alcohol detection, which measures
alcohol permeating through the skin and correlates that measurement
to the blood alcohol concentration, can offer the capacity to
provide a noninvasive, continuous, and quantitative measurement of
bodily alcohol.
[0041] The system 100 can be configured to implement or facilitate
implementation of one or more of the methods described in Section 3
below. Additionally or alternatively, the system 100 can be
configured to implement any other suitable method, some
embodiments, variations, and examples of which are described in
U.S. application Ser. No. 15/294,317 filed on 14 Oct. 2016, U.S.
application Ser. No. 14/470,376 filed 27 Aug. 2014, U.S.
application Ser. No. 14/602,919, and U.S. application Ser. No.
15/205,876, which are each incorporated herein in their entireties
by this reference.
2. System.
2.1 Housing.
[0042] The housing 110 functions to retain and/or protect the
system components (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 7A and 15B-15C) and to
position the sensing components (e.g., inlet 120, sensor 130)
relative to each other and the user. The housing 110 is preferably
rigid (e.g., made of or including a rigid polymer, metal, and/or
other rigid material), but can alternatively be partially or
entirely flexible. The housing 110 can include a low allergic
response material (e.g., at a surface configured to contact the
skin of the user, to minimize allergic reactions caused by wearing
the system 100). The housing 110 materials can be opaque,
transparent, and/or translucent (e.g., to allow viewing of internal
components, to enable conduction of light transmitted by system
components, etc.).
[0043] The housing 110 can define an analysis volume 111,
preferably a sealed analysis volume (e.g., wherein the volume is
fluidly isolated from the ambient environment and/or from an outer
side 122 of the inlet, etc.) but alternatively a volume open to the
ambient environment (e.g., through the inlet 120, through an
outlet, such as an outlet opposing the inlet 120 or in any other
suitable position, etc.). In a first embodiment (e.g., as shown in
FIG. 2A), the housing 110 defines a cavity, retains the sensor 130
within the cavity, and retains the inlet 120 at or near the opening
of the cavity, preferably such that the inlet 120 is the only (or
substantially only) fluidic path into the cavity from the ambient
environment. The cavity can be defined by a piece (e.g., the
housing 110, a portion of the housing 110, etc.) of unitary
construction (e.g., wherein the inlet 120 is sealed to the piece,
or wherein the inlet 120 and the piece are of unitary construction,
etc.), or can be defined by multiple sealed or otherwise physically
coextensive pieces (e.g., a first piece, such as a barrel,
retaining the inlet 120, sealed to a second piece, such as a cap,
retaining the sensor 130; a first piece retaining both the inlet
120 and sensor 130 sealed by a second piece; etc.). In a first
variation of this embodiment, the housing 110 retains the inlet 120
and sensor 130 apart from each other in position (e.g., the sensor
130 retained within the housing 110, and the inlet 120 adhered to
the housing exterior), and can thereby define an analysis volume
111 between the sensor 130 and an inner side 121 of the inlet. In a
second variation, the inlet 120 is retained against the sensor 130
(e.g., adhered to the sensor 130, pressed against the sensor 130 by
the housing 110, positioned at the sensor 130 by the housing 110,
etc.). In variations, the analysis volume 111 can have a volume
from 0.1 .mu.l to 10 mL. Alternatively, the analysis volume 111 can
be substantially zero (e.g., wherein the inlet 120 directly
contacts the sensor 130).
[0044] The housing 110 can additionally or alternatively be
operable to define a sampling volume 112 between the user 10 (e.g.,
a skin surface 11 of the user 10) and the inlet 120. The sampling
volume 112 is preferably fluidly isolated from the analysis volume,
and can additionally or alternatively be fluidly isolated from or
fluidly coupled to the ambient environment (e.g., when the housing
110 is fastened to or otherwise retained against the skin surface
11). In variations, the sampling volume 112 can have a volume from
0.1 .mu.L to 10 mL. Furthermore, the elements of the system 100 can
have any suitable morphology that improves function of sensing
functions of the sensor 130, as described below. For instance, the
analysis volume 111 and/or sampling volume 112 can have a
morphology that drives a sample from the user's skin toward the
sensor 130 (e.g., from the skin toward the inlet 120, through the
inlet 120, from the inlet 120 toward the sensor 130, etc.). In
examples, the morphology can include a tapered portion (e.g.,
conical, arcuate, stepped, etc.; wherein the volume narrows toward
the sensor), fluidic channels (e.g., urging fluid movement through
the channels), elements that promote directed fluid flow due to
pressure and/or thermal gradients (e.g., a thermal gradient created
by heat from the user), and/or any other suitable elements.
Additionally or alternatively, the system can include one or more
active elements, such as pumps and/or fans, that drive the sample
from the user's skin toward the sensor 130. However, the sensor 130
can additionally or alternatively be retained in position relative
to the inlet 120 in any other suitable manner, and/or the analysis
volume can be configured in any other suitable manner.
[0045] In one embodiment, the system 100 (e.g., the housing 110,
the inlet 120, etc.) includes a gasket 113 arranged to contact (and
preferably form a seal with) the skin surface 11 when the system
100 is worn (e.g., gasket 113 attached to a broad face of the
housing 110 and surrounding the inlet 120). For example (e.g., as
shown in FIGS. 3A-B and 4A-D), the gasket 113 can oppose the
analysis volume across the inlet 120 (e.g., across a microporous
membrane of the inlet, proximal the outer side 122 of the inlet),
and the fastener 140 can be configured to retain the gasket 113
against the skin surface 11. In a first variation of this
embodiment, the gasket 113 is operable to seal the sampling volume
(cooperatively with the skin surface 11). In a second variation,
the gasket 113 includes one or more vents/outlets, which function
to enable air circulation within the sampling volume (e.g., to
promote user comfort, to enhance sensor function) and/or reduce
moisture retention/condensation within the sampling volume. In
examples of this variation, the vents of the gasket 113 can be
configured about a peripheral region of the gasket and/or
configured in any other suitable manner. However, the housing 110,
inlet 120, and/or any other component of the system can include any
other suitable seal located in any other suitable position, or not
include a seal, additional variations of which are shown in FIGS.
28A-28C and 29A-29C.
[0046] The housing 110 can additionally or alternatively retain the
other system components (e.g., fastener 140, electronics subsystem
150, etc.) within an internal volume of the housing 110, and/or
relative to the user. The components can be retained within the
housing 110, can be retained external to the housing, or can
additionally or alternatively be partially retained within the
housing. In one variation, one or more elements can be retained
within the housing 110, under a transparent casing of the housing
110 (e.g., to allow a user to view the component and/or light
emitted by the component, such as a display, light emitting diode,
or other indicator), at an exterior surface of the housing 110
(e.g., to allow physical contact with the component, such as an
electrical power and/or data connector or a touch-sensitive
control; to allow a user to view the component and/or light emitted
by the component; etc.), attached (and/or attachable) to the
housing 110, and/or retained in any other suitable arrangement.
Additionally or alternatively, one or more portions of the housing
110 can be substantially opaque, such that elements within the
housing are not visible from outside of the housing 110.
[0047] The housing 110 can additionally or alternatively function
to maintain sensor environment conditions. For example, the housing
110 can include a thermally insulating material (e.g., to minimize
temperature changes of the sensor 130), a water-absorptive element
(e.g., to minimize water interaction with the sensor 130), and/or
any other suitable environmental control. However, the housing 110
can additionally or alternatively have any other suitable
configuration and include any other suitable elements.
2.2 Inlet.
[0048] The inlet 120 preferably functions to allow controlled
ingress of one or more analytes from the user's body, such as
ethanol, toward the sensor 130 (e.g., to the sensor 130, to the
analysis volume 111, etc.), and can additionally or alternatively
function to prevent contaminant ingress toward the sensor 130
and/or control (e.g., promote, prevent, etc.) water uptake by the
sensor 130. The inlet 120 preferably defines an outer side 121
(e.g., ambient environment and/or sampling volume side) and an
inner side 122 (e.g., analysis volume side) opposing the outer side
121 across the inlet 120. The inlet 120 can cooperate with one or
more apertures 123 (e.g., includes a barrier layer defining an
aperture), which function to allow or otherwise control sample
ingress, through the inlet 120 into the analysis volume and towards
the sensor 130, and one or more membranes 124, which function to
minimize obstruction of the aperture(s) 123 and/or prevent ingress
of solids, liquids, and/or undesired vapors.
[0049] The aperture 123 is preferably formed by removing material
(e.g., laser-drilling, milling, etching, or otherwise removing
material from an element such as a barrier layer), but can
additionally or alternatively be formed by joining pieces (e.g.,
joining two pieces with semicircular gaps along an edge, etc.) or
in any other suitable way. In variations that include a barrier
layer defining the aperture 123, the barrier layer is preferably
made of a rigid material (e.g., metal such as stainless steel,
rigid polymer, etc.), but can additionally or alternatively include
any other suitable material. In variations, the aperture 123 can be
defined through a surface of the housing 110; however, the aperture
123 can additionally or alternatively be defined by any other
element(s) of the system 100. In alternative examples, the aperture
123 can be a single hole, an array of holes, a screen, a porous
barrier (e.g., microporous barrier), a diffusive barrier (e.g.,
material allowing diffusion of the analyte and/or other species
across the barrier, such as silicone), and/or any other suitable
aperture 123 configured to limit the ingress of the analyte and/or
other species. Furthermore, the aperture(s) can have a fixed
opening size, or can alternatively be adjustable in size to control
the amount of sample entering the system for analysis.
[0050] The aperture 123 preferably limits the rate of analyte
(and/or other species) ingress toward the sensor 130, which can
function to minimize spurious signals due to changing user
perspiration rates (e.g., due to exertion) and/or system movement
(e.g., with respect to the skin surface 11). The aperture
cross-sectional dimensions (e.g., diameter of a circular aperture,
side, diagonal length of a rectangular aperture, etc.) are
preferably micron-scale (e.g., 0.01 mm, 0.025 mm, 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm,
0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.05-0.1 mm, 0.03-0.2 mm, etc.), but can
alternatively be larger (e.g., 1 mm, 2 mm, greater than 1 mm, etc.)
or smaller. A micron-scale aperture can help limit ethanol ingress
to an appropriate rate for the sensor 130.
[0051] Each membrane 124 is preferably a microporous membrane
(e.g., microporous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane). Each of the
membranes 124 is preferably vapor-permeable, and can be permeable
to ethanol vapor (and/or vapor of any other suitable analyte).
Furthermore, each of the membranes is preferably impermeable to
liquids and solids; however, variations of the membranes can
alternatively allow some material ingress. For instance, the
membrane 124 can be impermeable or permeable to water. The
membranes 124 can be hydrophilic or hydrophobic.
[0052] Each membrane 124 preferably covers the aperture 123 (e.g.,
is attached to the barrier layer surrounding the aperture 123). The
inlet 120 can include one membrane 124 covering the outer 121 or
inner side 122 of the aperture, two membranes 124 (e.g., one
covering each of the aperture sides, as shown in FIG. 2B), or any
other suitable number of membranes 124 in any other suitable
arrangement. In variations that include a membrane 124 covering the
inner side 122 ("inner membrane", 124a), the housing 110 (and/or
other suitable component of the system) preferably fluidly isolates
the entire inner membrane from the ambient environment and/or
sampling volume 112, except for a possible fluidic path through the
aperture 123 (e.g., to prevent the analyte and/or other species
from reaching the analysis volume 111 without passing through the
aperture 123, such as by lateral transit through the inner membrane
beginning from an exposed edge of the inner membrane). Analogously,
a membrane 124 covering the outer side 121 ("outer membrane", 124b)
is preferably fluidly isolated from the analysis volume 111, except
for a possible fluidic path through the aperture 123.
[0053] In one embodiment, at least one of the membranes 124 is
adhesive (or includes an adhesive layer), and the inlet 120 is
retained by the adhesive membrane (e.g., adhesive microporous
polytetrafluoroethylene membrane). The adhesive membrane can be
easily removable and/or replaceable by a user (e.g., allowing user
replacement of the membrane(s) 124, the aperture 123, and/or any
other elements of the inlet 120 and sensor 130), or can
additionally or alternatively be designed to be replaced by a
vendor when needed. In a first variation of this embodiment, the
membrane 124 is adhered to the housing 110 (e.g., to a rim
surrounding a cavity defined by the housing 110, to a lip within
the cavity, to the inner sidewalls of the cavity, etc.). In a
second variation, the membrane 124 is adhered to the sensor 130
(e.g., to a broad face of the primary wafer 131, preferably the
face proximal the counter electrode 133). In a first example of
this variation, the membrane 124 is adhered directly to the sensor
130. In a second example, a spacer (e.g., washer, standoff, etc.)
is adhered to the sensor 130, and the membrane 124 is adhered to
the spacer. The spacer can function to prevent mechanical damage of
the inlet 120 and/or sensor 130 arising from direct contact (e.g.,
prevent an electrode such as the counter electrode 133 from
puncturing the membrane 124). In examples including a spacer, the
spacer can be made of or include a polymer, such as polypropylene,
but can additionally or alternatively include metal, ceramic,
and/or any other suitable material.
[0054] However, one or more membranes 124 can additionally or
alternatively be arranged within the aperture 123 (e.g., filling
the aperture 123 partially or entirely), or can have any other
suitable arrangement with respect to the aperture 123 and other
system elements.
2.3 Sensor.
[0055] The sensor 130 functions to sample the concentration of one
or more analytes. The sensor 130 is preferably operable to detect
alcohol (i.e., ethanol), but can additionally or alternatively be
operable to detect any other suitable analyte. The analyte is
preferably emitted by the user 10, but can additionally or
alternatively come from any other suitable source. The sensor 130
is preferably arranged within the housing 110, as described in
Section 2.1 above, and the analyte preferably travels from the user
10 to the sensor 130 through the inlet 120 (e.g., as described
above). However, the sensor 130 can have any suitable
arrangement.
[0056] The sensor 130 preferably includes a fuel cell configured to
facilitate and/or quantify chemical reactions involving the analyte
(e.g., as shown in FIG. 2A). The fuel cell can have three
electrodes (e.g., a counter electrode 133 and a sensing electrode
134 configured to conduct and allow detection of current generated
by the fuel cell, and a reference electrode 135 configured to
provide a reference potential) but alternatively can be a
two-electrode fuel cell (e.g., not include a reference electrode)
or have any other suitable number of electrodes.
[0057] The fuel cell preferably includes a primary wafer 131 (e.g.,
through which protons can diffuse or be otherwise transported) or
other fuel cell element configured to transport protons and/or
other products of a reaction involving the analyte. The fuel cell
preferably includes a single primary wafer 131 to which both the
counter electrode 133 and the sensing electrode 134 are
electrically connected or otherwise electrically coupled (e.g., to
opposing sides of the primary wafer 131), but can alternatively
include multiple primary wafers 131 (e.g., wherein the counter
electrode 133 is electrically connected to a first side of a first
primary wafer, the sensing electrode 134 is electrically connected
to a first side of a second primary wafer, and the second sides of
the two wafers are electrically connected to each other) or any
other suitable reaction product transport elements. One or more of
the sides of the primary wafer(s) 131 (e.g., the sides to which
fuel cell electrodes are connected) preferably include a catalytic
coating or other catalyst configured to catalyze the fuel cell
reactions. The fuel cell electrodes can additionally or
alternatively include or be made of a catalyst. The wafer and/or
electrode catalyst preferably includes platinum, but can
additionally or alternatively include any other suitable catalytic
agent.
[0058] The fuel cell preferably includes one or more reservoir
wafers 132. The reservoir wafer 132 can retain species involved in
the fuel cell reactions (e.g., water), contaminants (e.g., unwanted
species that enter the analysis volume 111 through the inlet 120),
and/or any other suitable species. Alternative system
configurations can include a liquid and/or vapor reservoir 136
configured to retain these species, and can additionally include
sealing elements to minimize egress of the species from the
reservoir 136, or otherwise promote a hydrated state of the
reservoir 136. In fuel cells including a reservoir 136, the
reservoir 136 is preferably fluidly coupled to one or more of the
primary wafer surfaces (e.g., so that water can flow between the
reservoir 136 and the surfaces). In one example, the reservoir 136
is arranged opposing the analysis volume 111 and/or inlet 120
across the primary wafer 131 (e.g., such that the primary wafer 131
directly contacts the reservoir 136). In a second example, the
reservoir 136 is arranged apart from the primary wafer 131, and is
fluidly coupled to the primary wafer 131 by one or more tubes,
channels, and/or other fluid pathways (e.g., defined by the housing
110). In variations, the reservoir 136 can have a volume from 0.1
.mu.L to 10 mL. However, the reservoir 136 can have any other
suitable size, shape, and/or arrangement.
[0059] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the fuel cell
includes a counter electrode 133 electrically coupled to a
catalytic coating on a first side of a primary wafer 131, and a
sensing electrode 134 electrically coupled to a catalytic coating
on a second side of the primary wafer 131 opposing the first side.
The counter electrode 133 is preferably maintained at a positive
potential relative to the sensing electrode 134, but can
alternatively be maintained at any suitable potential, or not be
maintained at a specific potential. Ethanol incident upon the
second side reacts (e.g., catalyzed by a catalytic coating) with
water (e.g., from the counter-reaction, from the reservoir wafer
132, from air, etc.), producing ethanoic acid, protons, and
electrons (e.g., as described by the chemical reaction
CH.sub.3CH.sub.2OH+H.sub.2O.fwdarw.CH.sub.3COOH+4e.sup.-+4H.sup.+).
The generated protons travel through the primary wafer 131 to the
first side, while the generated electrons travel from the sensing
electrode 134, through a current sensor (e.g., circuit operable to
quantify electrical current), to the counter electrode 133. At the
first side, a counter-reaction occurs: the protons and electrons
react (e.g., catalyzed by a catalytic coating) with oxygen (e.g.,
from air, such as air from the ambient environment and/or sampling
volume 112 that travels through the inlet 120 to the sensor 130) to
produce water (e.g., as described by the chemical reaction
O.sub.2+4H.sup.++4e.sup.-.fwdarw.2H.sub.2O). The current sensor
samples the current generated by the fuel cell, which is directly
proportional to the amount of ethanol reacting at the fuel cell
(and can therefore be correlated with the amount of transdermal
ethanol reaching the sensor 130). The electrodes and catalytic
coatings are preferably made of platinum, but can additionally or
alternatively include any other suitable materials.
[0060] In a first variation of this embodiment, the fuel cell
additionally includes a reference electrode 135 (e.g., platinum
reference electrode). In this variation, the electric potential of
the sensing electrode 134 can be maintained relative to the
reference electrode 135 (e.g., maintained at a predetermined
potential difference, such as 0 V, -0.1 V, -0.5 V, +0.25 V, etc.;
maintained at a dynamically determined potential difference). This
variation can enable a passive, noninvasive, and/or continuous
measurement of transdermal alcohol, and can provide enhanced
sampling speed, signal stability, and/or sensor longevity. In a
second variation, the system includes a two-electrode fuel cell, an
outlet through which the analyte can exit the analysis volume 111,
and a pump operable to move the analyte through the analysis volume
111 and out the outlet. However, the fuel cell can include any
suitable elements in any suitable arrangement.
[0061] Additionally or alternatively, the sensor 130 can include a
sensor configured to detect resistance changes (e.g., of a silicon
oxide or tin oxide sensor element) in response to the presence of
alcohol vapor (or any other suitable analyte), and/or include any
other suitable mechanism for detecting the analyte
concentration.
2.4 Electronics Subsystem.
[0062] The electronics subsystem 150 preferably functions to power
and control the sensor 130 and to receive, analyze, store, and/or
transmit data sampled by the sensor 130. The electronics subsystem
150 preferably includes a processor 151 and a power module 152, and
can additionally or alternatively include a communication module
153, display 154, light emitter 155, and/or any other suitable
elements (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1B).
[0063] The processor 151 is preferably operable to continuously
determine a time series of blood alcohol contents of the user based
on a time series of signals received from the alcohol sensor. The
samples can be collected automatically and/or manually, can be
collected continuously and/or intermittently, and can be collected
at regular and/or irregular intervals. The processor 151 can
control system components to reduce system power consumption. For
example, the processor 151 can alter the rate at which the sensor
130 samples the alcohol concentration (e.g., based on current
and/or previous sensor data; user inputs; auxiliary information
such as user location, user preferences, user history, etc.). In a
specific example, when the sensor 130 indicates substantially no
alcohol presence, the processor 151 can control the sensor 130 to
reduce the sampling rate (e.g., to once every 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10,
20, 1-5, or 3-10 minutes). In this specific example, when alcohol
is detected, the processor 151 can control the sensor 130 to
increase the sampling rate (e.g., to sample as quickly as possible;
to sample once every 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, or 0.5-2 seconds). As
such, the processor 151 can be operable to dynamically modulate a
sampling rate associated with the sensor. However, the processor
151 can additionally or alternatively be operable in any other
suitable way.
[0064] While aspects of the processor 151 are preferably
implemented, at least in part, at the wearable device described
above, one or more modules of the processor 151 can additionally or
alternatively be implemented in one or more processing elements
(e.g., hardware processing element, cloud-based processing element,
etc.) not physically integrated with the wearable device, such that
processing by the system 100 can be implemented in multiple
locations and/or phases.
[0065] The power module 152 can function to power the processor
151, sensor 130, and/or any other suitable components of the
system. The power module is preferably electrically coupled (e.g.,
connected by conductive wire) to the processor 151, sensor 130,
and/or other powered system components, wherein the processor
preferably controls power provision (e.g., through component
operation mode control), but power provision and/or power module
management can alternatively be performed by any other suitable
component.
[0066] The power module 152 preferably includes a power source. The
power source preferably includes a battery, and in variations can
include one or more of a primary battery and a secondary battery.
The power module 152 can additionally or alternatively include a
capacitor (e.g., to facilitate fast discharging in combination with
a battery), a fuel cell with a fuel source (e.g., metal hydride), a
thermal energy converter (e.g., thermionic converter,
thermoelectric converter, mechanical heat engine, etc.) optionally
with a heat source (e.g., radioactive material, fuel and burner,
etc.), a mechanical energy converter (e.g., vibrational energy
harvester), a solar energy converter, and/or any other suitable
power source. In variations of a power source 152 including a
battery, the battery can have a lithium phosphate chemistry,
lithium ion polymer chemistry, lithium ion chemistry, nickel metal
hydride chemistry, lead acid chemistry, nickel cadmium chemistry,
metal hydride chemistry, nickel manganese cobalt chemistry,
magnesium chemistry, or any other suitable chemistry. The primary
battery can have a lithium thionyl chloride chemistry, zinc-carbon
chemistry, zinc chloride chemistry, alkaline chemistry, oxy nickel
hydroxide chemistry, lithium-iron disulfide chemistry,
lithium-manganese oxide chemistry, zinc-air chemistry, silver oxide
chemistry, or any other suitable chemistry.
[0067] The power module 152 can additionally or alternatively
include a power input. The power input preferably includes an
electrical connector (e.g., jack, plug, etc.), but can additionally
or alternatively include a wireless electrical power input (e.g.,
inductive power input) and/or any other suitable power input. The
electrical jack is preferably electrically coupled to the battery,
processor 151, and/or any other suitable component of the
electronics subsystem, more preferably operable to receive an
electrical power input and to transmit the electrical power input
to the electronics subsystem. In a specific example, the electrical
jack is retained at a surface of the housing 110, wherein the
electrical jack is partially or entirely covered by the user 10
during normal wear of the system (e.g., the electrical jack is
located on the same side of the housing as the inlet 120).
[0068] The communication module can function to communicate with
external devices, such as a user device or remote computing system.
The communication module can include a wireless communication
module (e.g., radio) and/or a wired communication module. The
wireless communication module can support one or more short-,
medium-, and/or long-range communication protocols, such as
cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, BLE, NFC, and/or any other suitable
wireless communication protocols. The wired communication module
preferably includes an electrical connection and/or connector
(e.g., USB, Ethernet, coaxial, etc.) configured to transmit data.
In one example, the electrical connection is a wired connection to
a wearable device 200 (e.g., through a fastener 140 coupled to the
wearable device 200). In another example, the electrical connection
is a wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth LE connection) that
allows for communication between the system 100 and another
computing system (e.g., mobile computing device, personal computer,
etc.).
[0069] The communication module can send information (e.g., sensor
measurements, system status, etc.) and/or control instructions to
the external devices, and/or can receive information and/or control
instructions (e.g., configuration information such as user
preferences, requests for sensor measurements, etc.) from the
external devices. For example, the processor can be operable to
control a user device such as a smartphone or wearable device 200
(e.g., forearm-mountable computing device) to provide an
intoxication notification based on the time series of blood alcohol
contents (e.g., sampled by and received from the sensor 130).
[0070] The display and/or light emitter can function to display
sensor measurements (e.g., numeric value of user's blood alcohol
content; indication of the blood alcohol content range, such as
high, low, or none; etc.), system status (e.g., normal status,
sensor malfunction, low battery, etc.), messages for the user 10
(e.g., motivational messages), and/or any other suitable
information. For example, the light emitter can emit green light
when no alcohol is detected, yellow when moderate amounts of
alcohol are detected, and red when high amounts of alcohol are
detected. However, the electronics subsystem 150 can include any
other suitable elements, and perform any other suitable functions,
some embodiments, variations, and examples of which are described
in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/294,317 filed on 14 Oct. 2016, U.S.
application Ser. No. 14/470,376 filed 27 Aug. 2014, U.S.
application Ser. No. 14/602,919, and U.S. application Ser. No.
15/205,876, which are each incorporated herein in their entireties
by this reference.
2.5 Fastener.
[0071] The fastener 140 functions to couple the system 100 to a
user. The fastener 140 and housing 110 can be of unitary
construction or otherwise physically coextensive, or can be
otherwise connected, coupled, or couplable.
[0072] The fastener 140 is preferably operable to retain the outer
side 121 of the inlet against or near a skin surface 11 of the
user. For example, the fastener 140 can be coupled to the housing
110 and operable to position a microporous membrane 124 (e.g.,
outer side of the outer membrane) proximal the skin surface 11
(e.g., retaining the membrane 124 against the skin surface 11,
retaining a nearby gasket 113 or face of the housing against the
skin surface 11, etc.). In embodiments that include an electrical
jack near the inlet 120 (e.g., both on the same broad face of the
housing no), the fastener 140 can be further configured to position
the electrical jack proximal the skin surface.
[0073] The fastener 140 is preferably operably to be easily and/or
repeatably fastened and unfastened manually by the user 10. In
specific examples, the fastener 140 can include a latch, snap,
buckle, clasp, hook-and-loop fastening mechanism, and/or any other
suitable fastening mechanism, and/or can be operable to expand and
contract (e.g., including an elastic element, such as an expansion
band; including a deployment clasp, butterfly clasp, or other clasp
that is physically coextensive when unclasped; etc.).
Alternatively, the fastener 140 can require a key or other security
mechanism to be fastened and/or unfastened, can have a
tamper-evident fastening mechanism (e.g., wherein the fastener 140
is changed during unfastening, such that it has a different visual
appearance upon refastening), and/or can include any other suitable
security elements.
[0074] In a first embodiment, the fastener 140 includes a strap (or
straps) operable to encircle a body part of the user, such as the
wrist and/or forearm (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, 7B-7C, 9A-9B,
11A-11D, 12A-12C, and 15A). In this embodiment, the strap(s) can
retain the inlet 120 near or against a skin surface 11 (e.g., skin
surface 11 on the same body part or a nearby body part of the
user). The straps are preferably connected to the housing 110 on or
proximal opposing edges of the housing (e.g., a top edge and a
bottom edge).
[0075] In a first variation of this embodiment, the fastener 140
and housing no are operable to cooperatively encircle the entire
body part. In a first example of this variation, the fastener 140
includes two straps, each connected (e.g., at or near a first end
of the strap) to the housing no proximal one edge of the housing,
and operable to connect to each other (e.g., by a buckle, claw
clasp, jewelry clasp, etc.; at or near a second end of the strap
opposing the first end) to encircle the body part. In a second
example, the fastener 140 includes a single strap (e.g., each end
of the strap connected to one of the opposing edges of the
housing), and the strap is operable to expand and contract (e.g.,
as described above).
[0076] In a second variation of this embodiment, the fastener 140
is operable to couple to (e.g., connect to) a wearable device 200
such as a forearm-mountable computing device and/or wristwatch
(e.g., serving as the strap(s) of the watch or computing device),
and when coupled, be operable to cooperatively encircle the entire
body part with the housing 110 and the wearable device 200. In a
first example of this variation, the sensor 130, electronics
subsystem 150, and/or other system components can communicate with
and/or receive power from (or send power to) the wearable device
200 through the fastener 140 (e.g., through an electrical
connection in the strap). In a second example, the sensor 130,
electronics subsystem 150, and/or other system components are
electrically isolated from the computing device.
[0077] In a second embodiment, the fastener 140 is operable to
retain the housing no on or within a wearable device 200 such as a
wristwatch or forearm-mountable computing device. The inlet 120 is
preferably retained on or proximal the skin surface 11 by the
wearable device 200. In this embodiment, the fastener 140 can be
removably and/or repeatably couplable to the wearable device 200,
or can be substantially permanently coupled or couplable to the
wearable device 200 (e.g., not easily uncoupled and/or recoupled by
a user).
[0078] In a first variation of this embodiment, the housing no fits
within a cavity 210 defined by the wearable device 200 (e.g., as
shown in FIG. 16). The sensor 130, electronics subsystem 150,
and/or other system components are preferably operable to
communicate with and/or receive power from (or send power to) the
wearable device 200 (e.g., through an electrical connection,
wirelessly, etc.), but can alternatively not communicate with
and/or be powered by the wearable device 200. In examples of this
variation, the fastener 140 can be operable to couple to the
wearable device 200 by a latch (e.g., fastened by pressing the
system 100 into the cavity 210 of the wearable device, unfastened
by pressing a release button), a bayonet mount, a threaded barrel
(e.g., wherein the fastener 140 includes threading around a
cylindrical housing and is operable to screw into complementary
threading on the cavity 210 of the wearable device), by one or more
mechanical fasteners (e.g., screw, clip, etc.), can be retained by
friction, adhesive, and/or van der Waals forces, and/or can be
otherwise coupled or coupleable.
[0079] In a second variation of this embodiment, the fastener 140
attaches to a strap 220 or other fastening element of the wearable
device 200 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 14A-14E). For example, the
housing 110 and fastener 140 can cooperatively encircle a strap 220
of the wearable device 200.
[0080] In a third embodiment, the fastener 140 attaches or is
operable to attach the system 100 to a clothing article 12 (e.g.,
as shown in FIGS. 6A-6F, 7D, and 8A-8C). In this embodiment, the
inlet 120 is retained on or proximal the skin surface 11 by the
clothing article 12. In a first variation of this embodiment, the
fastener 140 includes a clip operable to fasten near an edge of the
clothing article 12 (e.g., to a waistband; bra strap, band, bridge,
or cup; sock cuff; etc.). In a second variation, the housing 110
(e.g., a back side of the housing opposing the inlet 120) is
attached to (e.g., adhered to, fused or sewn into, etc.) an
interior surface of the clothing article 12.
[0081] In a fourth embodiment, the fastener 140 is operable to
mount the system 100 directly to the user's skin (e.g., as shown in
FIGS. 10A-10D). The fastener 140 preferably mounts the system 100
on, around, and/or near the skin surface 11 and preferably
positions the inlet 120 on or near the skin surface 11. In
variations of this embodiment, the fastener 140 can include an
adhesive layer, a suction mount, a mount attachable by van der
Waals forces, and/or any other suitable surface mount. However, the
fastener 140 can include any other suitable mechanism for coupling
the housing 110 to the user 10.
[0082] The fastener 140 (and/or housing no) can include a display
facilitating element that functions to allow a user to view
information provided by one or more displays/light indicators of
the system 100 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 13). For example, the
fastener 140 and/or housing 110 can include a translucent region
optically coupled to a light emitter (e.g., retained at or near a
surface of the housing, such as near a connection between the
fastener 140 and the housing no) and operable to conduct a light
signal emitted by the light emitter. In a specific example, the
light-emitting element is operable to emit light of several
different colors, and a translucent region of a strap (e.g., a
stripe along the strap, substantially the entire strap, etc.) glows
in the color emitted by the light-emitting element. Such display
facilitating elements can comprise elements and/or be configured in
analogous ways to the elements described in one or more of: U.S.
application Ser. No. 15/294,317, filed on 14 Oct. 2016 and U.S.
application Ser. No. 14/470,376 filed 27 Aug. 2014, which are each
incorporated in their entireties herein by this reference.
2.6 Calibration Element.
[0083] The system 100 can additionally or alternatively include one
or more calibration elements. The calibration element can enable
system self-calibration (e.g., by supplying a calibrated
concentration of alcohol, by supplying a known quantity of alcohol,
by supplying a quantity of alcohol with a specific time-release
profile, etc.). The calibration element can be reusable or designed
for a single calibration. In one embodiment, the calibration
element is operable to cover the inlet 120 (e.g., by attaching to
the housing 110). For example, the calibration element can be an
adhesive patch, including a calibrated amount of alcohol, that can
be applied to the backside of the housing 110 over the inlet 120
prior to use of the system 100 by a user. The system 100 can be
worn with the calibration patch in place while the calibration
process occurs, after which the calibration patch can be removed
and the system 100 can be worn for normal use. In a second
embodiment, the calibration element includes a chamber (e.g.,
sealed chamber) into which the system can be placed, and a
calibrated alcohol environment can be maintained within the
chamber.
[0084] The calibration element can additionally or alternatively
include a temperature sensor configured to be in thermal
communication with the user, by way of the housing and/or the
fastener. The temperature sensor can function to enable
temperature-based calibration of the sensor (e.g., adjusting sensor
readings based on the measured temperature and a temperature
calibration curve, such as a predetermined or dynamically
determined calibration curve), and/or to detect when the system 100
is worn (e.g., wherein sustained increased temperature can indicate
continuous wear, and temperature reduction can indicate removal of
the system 100). However, the system 100 can include any suitable
calibration elements and/or any other suitable elements.
3. Method.
[0085] A method 1 for intoxication monitoring can be performed with
a transdermal alcohol sensing system (e.g., the system 100
described above). In a first embodiment (e.g., as shown in FIG.
17), the method 1 can include determining correlations between
alcohol consumption and other health metrics (e.g., sleep quality,
weight, exercise, diet, heart rate, blood pressure, hangover
symptoms, behavior characteristics, etc.) and presenting data about
the other health metrics and/or the correlations to a user (e.g.,
at a user device, at the alcohol sensing system). In a second
embodiment (e.g., as shown in FIG. 18), the method 1 can include
determining that a user may consume more alcohol than safe or
desired (e.g., at a winery tasting room, at a college party, etc.)
and presenting recommendations to the user (e.g., stop drinking at
a time that will allow the user to become sober before needing to
drive, reduce the rate of drinking to avoid health risks, etc.). In
a third embodiment (e.g., as shown in FIG. 19), the method 1 can
include determining correlations between drinking events (e.g.,
sipping detected based on accelerometer data) and blood alcohol
content and/or user performance on intoxication tests (e.g.,
puzzles, speech clarity, pupil dilation), presenting the
correlations to the user, and/or preventing user actions (e.g.,
placing phone calls or sending text messages to predetermined
contacts). In a fourth embodiment (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 20-22),
the method 1 can include detecting user intoxication (e.g., through
a worn alcohol sensor and/or an alcohol sensor integrated into a
piece of equipment, such as a steering wheel of a vehicle or a
sensor associated with an employee time logging system) and, in
response to detecting intoxication, providing a warning (e.g., to
the user, to a supervisor of the user, etc.) and/or preventing use
of the equipment. In a fifth embodiment (e.g., as shown in FIG.
23), the method 1 can include presenting a visual indication of a
user's ongoing sobriety (e.g., units of time such as days, weeks,
or years since the user's last drinking event; awards associated
with sobriety; etc.). In a sixth embodiment (e.g., as shown in FIG.
24), the method 1 can include presenting a visual indication of a
user's current intoxication to another person (e.g., bartender)
and/or preventing alcohol purchases by intoxicated users. In a
seventh embodiment (e.g., as shown in FIG. 25), the method 1 can
include determining a user's current, past, and/or projected
intoxication and/or presenting an indication (e.g, visual
indication, such as a numerical value, directed arrow, trendline,
etc.) of the intoxication (e.g., to the user, at a wearable
electronic device, etc.). In some embodiments, the method 1 can
include (e.g., as shown in FIG. 26) controlling the sensor to
collect data less frequently when frequent readings are not desired
(e.g., when no alcohol is detected) and/or controlling the sensor
the sensor to collect data more frequently (e.g., at a maximum
sampling rate) when frequent readings are desired (e.g., when
alcohol is detected), which can function to reduce power
consumption.
[0086] However, the method 1 can include any other suitable blocks
or steps, some embodiments, variations, and examples of which are
described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/294,317 filed on 14 Oct.
2016, U.S. application Ser. No. 14/470,376 filed 27 Aug. 2014, U.S.
application Ser. No. 14/602,919, and U.S. application Ser. No.
15/205,876, which are each incorporated herein in their entireties
by this reference. For example, the system 100 can include an
output (e.g., optical output, such as a light emitter or electronic
display; audio output; etc.) operable to output a unique signature,
and the method 1 can include acquiring sensor data including a
photograph or video displaying the user 10 wearing the system 100
and including the unique signature (e.g., in the photograph or
video), examples of which are shown in FIGS. 27A-27B.
[0087] The preferred embodiments include every combination and
permutation of the various system components and the various method
processes. Furthermore, various processes of the preferred method
can be embodied and/or implemented at least in part as a machine
configured to receive a computer-readable medium storing
computer-readable instructions. The instructions are preferably
executed by computer-executable components preferably integrated
with the system and one or more portions of the electronics
subsystem 150. The computer-readable medium can be stored on any
suitable computer readable media such as RAMs, ROMs, flash memory,
EEPROMs, optical devices (CD or DVD), hard drives, floppy drives,
or any suitable device. The computer-executable component is
preferably a general or application specific processing subsystem,
but any suitable dedicated hardware device or hardware/firmware
combination device can additionally or alternatively execute the
instructions.
[0088] The FIGURES illustrate the architecture, functionality and
operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and
computer program products according to preferred embodiments,
example configurations, and variations thereof. In this regard,
each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a
module, segment, step, or portion of code, which comprises one or
more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical
function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative
implementations, the functions noted in the block can occur out of
the order noted in the FIGS. For example, two blocks shown in
succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or
the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order,
depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted
that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart
illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams
and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special
purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions
or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer
instructions.
[0089] As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the
previous detailed description and from the figures and claims,
modifications and changes can be made to the preferred embodiments
of the invention without departing from the scope of this invention
defined in the following claims.
* * * * *